That same year, Travis Scott said that he would executive produce the effort, which he claimed boasted appearances from Kendrick Lamar and Kid Cudi. However, the project never came.

In May this year, CyHi the Prynce told Rap-Up that Cruel Winter was slated for a Christmas release. “I think we can expect it this year],” said CyHi. “Once my album comes out and it takes f, I can get Travis Scott] back in there and we’ll finish it up. It could be this…maybe Christmas.” His debut album, No Dope on Sundays, dropped in November, but Christmas came and went without Cruel Winter.

By August, Kanye and Cudi were rumored to be working on a joint project in Japan. Director Coodie Simmons would later post a photo himself, West, Cudder, and artist Takashi Murakami with the caption: “Coming Dec. 31st! #EVERYBODYWINS #GODisGREAT.” It’s unclear what release he was hinting towards, but many took that to mean that Cruel Winter or the alleged joint project between Cudi and Kanye would drop before 2018.

If G.O.O.D. Music does ring in the new year with new music, it wouldn’t be the first time. In 2014, Yeezy dropped “Only One” featuring Paul McCartney and in 2015, he unleashed “Facts.”